In late October, I faced a challenging time when my partner was hospitalized due to septic shock. It was a terrifying ordeal, and there were moments I feared I might lose her. During her 22-day stay at a hospital an hour away, I developed a routine of listening to Christmas music on my drives.
I know many people cringe at the thought of holiday tunes before December, but I needed something uplifting. With my partner in the hospital and the world grappling with a pandemic, I turned up Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas,” and, honestly, it brought me some comfort.
It appears I’m not alone in this sentiment. According to holiday retailers, numerous individuals are eager to embrace the festive spirit earlier this year. As of November 14th, many retailers reported selling out of decorations. Mac Harman, founder of Evergreen Creations, shared with the Arkansas Daily that holiday decor sales have skyrocketed, with a staggering increase of 50% since July compared to last year.
This trend isn’t just limited to the U.S.; online sales are also surging in the UK, France, and Germany. Big box stores are experiencing this rush as well. Lance Allen, a merchant for decorative goods at Home Improvement Co., noted that they anticipated a busy season, but the impact of the pandemic was beyond what they had expected. “We’re seeing a massive surge in sales for Christmas trees and lights. People aren’t just buying early; they’re going all out,” he commented.
However, the early enthusiasm for decorating in 2020 has its challenges. Online retailers are running out of stock much sooner than usual. Normally, searches for holiday items begin in September, but this year, Pinterest reported that interest in Christmas ideas surged as early as April, while people were still celebrating Easter.
Shipping logistics have also been affected. As Harman pointed out, “The country simply doesn’t have the shipping capacity.” It’s not just about hiring more drivers; the sorting facilities are overwhelmed. He’s advising everyone to shop for holiday gifts early, as last-minute shopping may not be feasible.
So here’s the reality: you need to start looking for holiday decorations now. In some cases, it might already be too late. For those of us who thrive on the holiday spirit, I’m eager to set up my tree as soon as I finish this article. For early decorators, this is your year—embrace it without hesitation.
If you find early decorating akin to dining out too soon after a bout of food poisoning, I understand, but you’re in the minority this year. With everything turned upside down in 2020, we all could use a little more joy, so set aside your reservations and decorate early—if you can get your decorations shipped in time, that is.
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Summary:
As the holiday season approaches, many are breaking the traditional rule of waiting until after Thanksgiving to decorate. Factors such as the pandemic and a desire for joy have led to a significant increase in early holiday shopping and decorating, with retailers struggling to keep up with demand. It’s time to embrace the festive spirit and consider starting your holiday preparations now, despite the challenges of shipping delays and limited availability.